How modern podcasting is like the glory days of blogging: Back in 2004, blogging was a wide open frontier, a time when anybody could write about anything and, ostensibly, have readers. Nieman Lab draws parallels between those early days of blogging and the modern world of podcasts. New tools have made it possible for people to hook up a microphone to their laptops and start talking. But the audio format faces the same challenges as blogging once did in terms of becoming a breakout success.

Spotify’s new parental leave policy: Today, Spotify announced new policies centered on parental leave. The company is offering all full-time employees up to six months of parental leave at 100% pay. The leave can be taken up to the child’s third birthday, with both mothers and fathers encouraged to take advantage of the time away. The policy also includes flexibility in hours and remote working for the first month back after taking leave.

Apple Music: the mansplainer? Apple Music released a fun ad earlier this year featuring the powerhouse trio of Mary J. Blige, Kerry Washington, and Taraji P. Henderson. But during an interview with CBS in America, Apple’s Jimmy Iovine managed to make the music service seem both insulting and creepily patronizing. “So I always knew that women find it very difficult at times – some women – to find music,” he told host Gayle King. “I just thought of a problem: girls are sitting around talking about boys. Or complaining about boys! They need music for that, right? It’s hard to find the right music. Not everyone… knows a DJ.” Ick.